Quick answer: Shea butter is the best all-round choice for very dry, tight or sensitive skin. Cocoa butter is firmer and more protective, making it ideal for dry body skin, rough areas and homemade body-care products. Mango butter feels lighter and may suit people who find shea or cocoa butter too heavy.
Shea butter, cocoa butter and mango butter are concentrated plant fats used to soften skin and help reduce moisture loss. Although they offer similar benefits, they differ in texture, scent, absorption and how rich they feel on the skin.
Here is how to choose the best body butter for your skin and how the three most popular options compare.
Updated in July 2026. First published September 2022.
What are body butters?
Body butters are rich plant fats extracted from nuts, seeds or fruit kernels. Unlike most lotions, pure body butters do not contain water. Instead, they create a protective layer over the skin that helps reduce moisture loss and leave skin feeling soft and nourished.
Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the African shea tree, cocoa butter comes from cacao beans, and mango butter is made from the kernel inside the mango seed.
While all three are naturally rich in fatty acids, each has a different texture, melting point and feel on the skin.
Which body butter should you choose?
Your skin feels very dry or tight
Choose shea butter when your skin is very dry, sensitive, tight or flaky and you want a versatile butter that can be used on the hands, body, feet, cuticles and small facial areas.
Its rich, creamy texture helps soften flaky areas and reinforce the skin's moisture barrier.
You need rich body moisturising
Choose cocoa butter when you prefer a firmer, more protective body butter for rough skin, stretching skin or homemade balms and body bars.
Its dense texture is well suited to rough body skin, heels, elbows and areas that benefit from a long-lasting protective layer.
You dislike heavy or greasy textures
Consider mango butter when you want a lighter texture and find traditional body butters too dense or slow to absorb.
It generally feels silkier and absorbs more readily than shea or cocoa butter.
You want to make your own skincare
Choose shea or cocoa butter.
Shea butter is the most versatile option, while cocoa butter is particularly useful for rich body care and DIY formulations.
Shea adds creaminess, while cocoa butter helps balms and body bars stay firm.
For most people looking for one versatile body butter, shea butter is the best all-round choice.
Want to learn more about shea butter? If you're leaning towards shea butter, read What Is Shea Butter, and Why Is It So Good for Dry Skin? to discover how it supports the skin barrier, the different ways to use it, and what to look for when choosing a quality shea butter.
What is the difference between shea, cocoa and mango butter?
| Feature | Shea butter | Cocoa butter | Mango butter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Shea tree nut | Cacao bean | Mango seed kernel |
| Texture | Rich and creamy | Firm and dense | Smooth and silky |
| Natural scent | Mildly earthy or nutty | Soft chocolate aroma | Very mild or neutral |
| Absorption | Moderate | Slow | Generally faster |
| Best for | Very dry, tight or sensitive skin | Dry body skin, rough areas and DIY skincare | Normal to dry skin and lighter moisturising |
What is shea butter best for?
Shea butter is extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. It has a rich, creamy texture that softens quickly when warmed between the fingers.
It contains naturally occurring oleic, stearic, linoleic and palmitic fatty acids, which help soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. Shea butter also contains antioxidant compounds and vitamins A and E.
Best for
✔ Very dry, tight or flaky skin
✔ Dry hands, feet, elbows and knees
✔ Sensitive or eczema-prone skin as part of a moisturising routine
✔ Dry hair ends and cuticles
✔ Homemade balms, creams and body butters
Why it stands out
Shea butter offers a useful balance between richness and spreadability. It is substantial enough for persistently dry areas but generally softer and easier to apply than cocoa butter.
What is cocoa butter best for?
Cocoa butter, also called cacao butter, is the natural edible fat extracted from cacao beans. It has a firm consistency, melts slowly against warm skin and carries a soft chocolate aroma.
Its fatty-acid composition gives it a higher melting point than shea or mango butter, allowing it to create a rich protective layer over the skin.
Best for
✔ Dry body skin
✔ Rough elbows, knees and heels
✔ Skin that feels dry or tight as it stretches
✔ Massage bars and solid moisturisers
✔ Homemade lip balms, salves and body butters
Why it stands out
Cocoa butter is the firmest of the three butters. It works particularly well on dry body areas and gives homemade balms and body bars structure.
It is often used on stretching skin during pregnancy because it helps keep skin soft and comfortable. However, cocoa butter has not been shown to reliably prevent or remove stretch marks.
What is mango butter best for?
Mango butter is extracted from the kernel inside the mango seed rather than from the fruit itself. It has a pale colour, mild scent and smooth texture that generally feels lighter than shea or cocoa butter.
It contains oleic and stearic acids, along with smaller amounts of other naturally occurring fatty acids and antioxidant compounds.
Best for
✔ Normal to dry skin
✔ People who prefer lighter body butters
✔ Everyday moisturising
✔ DIY skincare with a softer, silkier finish
Why it stands out
Mango butter can provide the nourishing feel of a plant butter without the density of cocoa butter. Its mild scent also works well in body-care products where a stronger natural aroma is not wanted.
While Biome doesn't currently stock mango butter, we've included it here because it's commonly compared with shea and cocoa butter. Understanding the differences can help you choose the body butter that's best suited to your skin.
Shop our favourite body butters
Biome currently offers pure certified organic shea butter, a softer shea butter blend with jojoba oil and vitamin E, and certified organic cocoa butter.
Biome 100% Pure Certified Organic Shea Butter
Best for: Very dry areas, simple single-ingredient skincare and homemade beauty recipes.
✔ Certified organic shea butter
✔ Nothing added
✔ Suitable for the face, hands, body and dry hair ends
✔ Packaged in a reusable glass jar
Why it stands out: A versatile pure butter that can be applied directly to dry skin or used in homemade balms and body butters.
Biome Organic Shea Butter with Jojoba & Vitamin E
Best for: Easy everyday moisturising for the face, hands and body.
✔ Certified organic shea butter
✔ Softened with jojoba oil
✔ Added vitamin E
✔ Easy to spread directly from the tin
Why it stands out: Jojoba oil creates a softer, creamier texture for people who prefer ready-to-apply shea butter.
Biome Certified Organic Cocoa Butter
Best for: Rich body moisturising, rough areas and homemade body-care recipes.
✔ Certified organic cocoa butter
✔ Firm, slow-melting texture
✔ Soft natural chocolate aroma
✔ Packaged in a reusable glass jar
Why it stands out: Pure cocoa butter provides long-lasting richness and helps homemade balms and body bars retain their shape.
How do you apply body butter?
Because body butters are highly concentrated, a little goes a long way. For best results, apply them to slightly damp skin after showering or bathing to help seal in moisture.
- Start with a small amount. Scoop out a pea-sized amount and add more only if needed.
- Warm it between your hands. Pure body butters soften quickly with body heat, making them easier to spread.
- Massage into slightly damp skin. This helps seal in hydration and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth.
- Use it as the final step. If you use a water-based lotion or serum, apply that first, then finish with body butter to help reduce moisture loss.
Quick tip: Pure shea and cocoa butter may become firm during cooler weather. There is no need to heat the entire jar—simply warm a small amount between your palms.
Frequently asked questions
Is shea butter better than cocoa butter?
Shea butter is generally more versatile because it is softer and easier to spread across the face and body. Cocoa butter is firmer and may be better for rough body skin, stretching skin and homemade balms.
Choose shea butter when:
✔ Your skin is very dry, tight or flaky
✔ You want a butter for your hands, body or small areas of your face
✔ You have dry or sensitive skin
✔ You want a versatile ingredient for direct use and DIY skincare
Choose cocoa butter when:
✔ You want a firmer, slower-melting body butter
✔ You are moisturising rough elbows, knees, heels or stretching skin
✔ You enjoy a natural cocoa aroma
✔ You are making solid balms, massage bars or structured body butters
Is mango butter better than shea butter?
Mango butter may be a better fit when you prefer a lighter, silkier product that absorbs more readily. Shea butter is usually the stronger choice when your skin is persistently dry and needs a richer moisture-sealing layer.
For most people choosing a practical, multi-purpose butter, shea butter offers more flexibility. It can be used on the hands, body, dry facial areas and hair, while also working well in homemade skincare.
Which body butter is best for very dry skin?
Shea butter is usually the best choice for very dry, tight or flaky skin. Its rich texture helps soften dry areas and reduce moisture loss without feeling quite as firm as cocoa butter.
Which body butter is best for stretch marks?
Shea and cocoa butter can help keep stretching skin moisturised and comfortable, but neither has been shown to reliably prevent or remove stretch marks.
Can you use body butter on your face?
Shea and mango butter can be used sparingly on dry facial areas. Begin with a very small amount and apply it over slightly damp skin or a lighter moisturiser. Cocoa butter may feel too heavy for some facial skin types.
Can you mix shea butter and cocoa butter?
Yes. Shea and cocoa butter are often combined in homemade skincare. Shea creates a creamier texture, while cocoa butter adds firmness and structure.
Can body butter replace moisturiser?
Body butter can be used on its own, particularly on the body, but it does not add water to the skin. For very dry skin, apply it to slightly damp skin or over a water-based lotion to help seal in hydration.
Related reads
What Is Shea Butter, and Why Is It So Good for Dry Skin?
How to Make a DIY Coconut and Shea Body Whip
DIY Lavender and Peppermint Lip Balm Recipe
This article provides general skincare information and does not replace advice from a doctor or dermatologist, particularly if you have eczema, psoriasis, allergies or another diagnosed skin condition.
